The role of the VEGF-isoforms in pathological choroidal/retinal angiogenesis.

This study investigates the specific role of the VEGF-isoforms in pathological choroidal/retinal angiogenesis, as their role in physiological angiogenesis was already described (1,2). VEGFisoform specific mice (VEGF , VEGF 164/ 164 and VEGF mice) were bred to study the role of the VEGF isoforms in pathological angiogenesis. In these mice, two established models of pathological angiogenesis were induced, laser-induced choroidal neovascularisation (CV) (3) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (4). The amount of the newly formed blood vessels was determined on wholemounted retinas/choroids.